Singer, Songwriter and Actress. She will best be remembered as the lead singer of the 1980s female pop trio 'Vanity 6'. Matthews began as a model before focusing on a career in music. In the early 80's, she became a protégé of singer and producer, Prince who chose her to sing lead for 'Vanity 6' from 1981 until 1983, during which time the group scored the hit "Nasty Girl". She would go on to record two solo albums which included the hits "Pretty Mess" and "Under the Influence". In addition to music, she also enjoyed a successful acting career, with roles in films such as 'The Last Dragon', '52 Pick-Up' and 'Action Jackson'. Later in her career, she struggled with drug abuse, which took its toll on her health. Following a 1994 crack cocaine overdose that left her with near-fatal renal failure, she renounced her stage name and became a born-again Christian, devoting herself to evangelism. Matthews, who underwent a kidney transplant in 1997, died from complications of inflammation of the small intestines called sclerosis encapsulating peritonitis.
Singer, Songwriter and Actress. She will best be remembered as the lead singer of the 1980s female pop trio 'Vanity 6'. Matthews began as a model before focusing on a career in music. In the early 80's, she became a protégé of singer and producer, Prince who chose her to sing lead for 'Vanity 6' from 1981 until 1983, during which time the group scored the hit "Nasty Girl". She would go on to record two solo albums which included the hits "Pretty Mess" and "Under the Influence". In addition to music, she also enjoyed a successful acting career, with roles in films such as 'The Last Dragon', '52 Pick-Up' and 'Action Jackson'. Later in her career, she struggled with drug abuse, which took its toll on her health. Following a 1994 crack cocaine overdose that left her with near-fatal renal failure, she renounced her stage name and became a born-again Christian, devoting herself to evangelism. Matthews, who underwent a kidney transplant in 1997, died from complications of inflammation of the small intestines called sclerosis encapsulating peritonitis.
Bio by: Louis du Mort
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